The Confluence – Page 19 – The Oregon film community's official blog.

Manzanita Film Festival Coming to the Coast October 4

The inaugural Manzanita Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating the rich cinematic heritage of the Pacific Northwest region.

A one day in-person event held in the picturesque coastal town of Manzanita, Oregon, this festival aims to showcase films that capture the essence, culture, crafts, and stories unique to the Pacific Northwest with a special consideration for the Oregon coast.

By highlighting the creative achievements of filmmakers from our region, we aim to foster community pride, inspire creativity, and provide a platform for local filmmakers to share their work with a broader audience.

Karina Lomelin Ripper Recognized as Princess Grace Award Honoraria

#OregonMade and Tell Your Story Grant recipient Karina Lomelin Ripper has been recognized with an Honoraria award from the Princess Grace Awards.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is dedicated to upholding the legacy of Princess Grace of Monaco, (née Grace Kelly) and elevating extraordinary emerging artists in theater, dance and film through career-advancing grants.

Her commitment to advance the arts in the United States is sustained by the Princess Grace Awards which supports and elevates extraordinary early career artists in theater, dance and film through game-changing grants; and nurtures and supports Princess Grace Award winners throughout their careers.

EOFF Presents: Special Staged Reading “Bad Day for Bigfoot”

Eastern Oregon Film Festival is excited to kick off its sixteenth annual celebration with a special bonus event — a live staged reading of the upcoming feature film “Bad Day for Bigfoot.”

Filmmakers Zach Green and Devin O’Rourke, recent participants in EOFF’s Filmmaker Field Trip program, are returning to the valley with their new project: a genre-bending, sci-fi comedy rooted in the rural wilds of Eastern Oregon. With plans to shoot the film locally in June 2026, this staged reading offers a first look at the script and a chance to connect with the filmmakers behind it.

Oregon filmmaker James Westby, author Chelsea Cain create “The Bend”

Portland filmmaker James Westby embraces a DIY ethos, making micro-budget films in the Pacific Northwest. His latest, “The Bend,” written by bestselling author Chelsea Cain, was inspired by Westby’s 11-year-old daughter. Filmed on location in Central Oregon, the story follows a family vacation gone awry when a young girl goes missing.

OPB’s “Art Beat” tells us about it:

OVLA Legal Workshops for Artists

Oregon Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is hosting a series of workshops focused on Artists and the business of their Art.

Attend one of our upcoming workshops or partner with us on a custom workshop for your community.

Setting Up Your Creative Business For Success
Sept 3 12:00 PM 1:30 PM
This workshop provides an overview of the legal tools available to help artists and creatives establish their work as their business. We discuss when it may make sense to form an LLC; how to set up your business with the State of Oregon; financial basics for new creative businesses; and business licenses.

#OregonMade & Sundance Hit “Twinless” Releases Sept. 5

#OregonMade, Portland shot and Sundance award winner “Twinless” will be released in theaters September 5. Starring James Sweeney, Dylan O’Brien, Lauren Graham, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Perfetti, and Tasha Smith. Watch the trailer below.

In “Twinless,” two young men meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Roman (Dylan O’Brien) and Dennis (James Sweeney) both search for solace and an identity without their other halves and soon become inseparable outside the group. But when Roman meets Dennis’ ebullient co-worker, Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), all is revealed to be not what it seems, as each man harbors secrets that could unravel everything.

Announcing the 2025 WIF-PDX Vision Grant

Women in Film Portland are excited to announce the 2025 Vision Grant! This year WIF-PDX will be awarding one filmmaker $10,000 for their narrative documentary short film in production.

The Vision Grant, now in its 13th year, has been a cornerstone of Women in Film PDX’s mission to foster creativity, innovation, and inclusivity within the film community. The grant is designed to provide financial support to emerging female and nonbinary filmmakers in the Portland Metro area, enabling them to bring their unique visions to the screen and contribute their diverse voices to the world of cinema.

Southern Oregon’s Joma Films Releases Fifth Feature

Ashland based Joma Films recently sent this update about its latest feature “Above the Trees” and its new distribution platform. After leading the way with a new and innovative way to reach their audiences during the pandemic with the wonderful “Phoenix, Oregon,” Joma’s ability to reinvent how it brings their films to audiences continues to be at the forefront of the industry.

It’s been a long time coming – really five years in the making since the release of “Phoenix, Oregon” – and there have been many stops and starts along the way.

Brownsville Set to Mark “Stand By Me Day”

This month, a small Oregon town off Interstate 5 north of Eugene is set to celebrate a classic movie that was filmed there.

“Stand By Me” is a 1986 coming-of-age drama filmed mostly in Brownsville, Oregon, and is based on Steven King’s “The Body.”

The story takes place in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Oregon, and follows four boys on their journey to locate the dead body of a missing boy.

Brownsville has historically celebrated Stand By Me Day — complete with a blueberry pie-eating contest referencing a somewhat grotesque scene from the film — annually on July 23, according to the Oregon Historical Society.

Bruce Campbell & Ida Gearon Talk “Ernie & Emma” on JPR

Bruce Campbell and his wife, Ida Gearon, join the Jefferson Public Radio’s “Jefferson Exchange” to discuss their upcoming new film “Ernie & Emma,” which was shot entirely in Southern Oregon.

Ernie and Emma is a poignant tale about Ernie Tyler, a small-town pear salesman, and the journey he embarks on following the death of his beloved wife, Emma. After 25 years as an executive secretary, Emma leaves behind a detailed list of instructions regarding her ashes, which leads Ernie on a journey of challenging and reflective escapades.

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